The Ondo State Police Command has arrested a 62-year-old cleric, Pastor Sanmori Joshua, and his 42-year-old wife, Mrs. Sanmori Taiwo, for allegedly staging her own kidnap to extort ₦10 million from relatives abroad.
The state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Olushola Ayanlade, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, noting that the incident occurred on August 23 at the couple’s residence on Road 5, PowerLine, Ondo City.
According to Ayanlade, Taiwo locked herself in a room while her husband contacted her relatives, claiming she had been abducted by gunmen. However, a relative, Mr. Fasegha O. Joseph, petitioned the Commissioner of Police, CP Adebowale Lawal, who directed the Special Anti-Kidnapping Squad (SAKS) to investigate.
“Operatives, in collaboration with Enu-owa Division, raided the couple’s home, where the woman was discovered. She falsely claimed she had just been freed by kidnappers after ₦5 million was paid as ransom,” Ayanlade said.
He added that during interrogation, Taiwo confessed to faking her abduction to raise money for debt repayment and personal needs.
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The police confirmed that the couple is in custody and will be charged in court after investigations.
“The Command will not relent in uncovering all forms of crime—real or staged—in order to protect lives and maintain peace across the state,” Ayanlade assured.
